Cheat sheet
California Branch 2 Field Representative Cheat Sheet
Inspection, Monitoring + Identification
- 25% of exam
- Inspection Clues Pest Identification Conducive Conditions Monitoring Life Cycles
Treatment Planning + Equipment
- 22% of exam
- IPM Planning Treatment Selection Formulations Equipment Calibration
Preparation, Application + Maintenance
- 23% of exam
- Site Preparation Consumer Notice Label Directions Application Methods Follow-Up
Environmental Protection + Safety
- 15% of exam
- Spill Response Storage Transport Water Protection Waste Handling
Personal Protection + Safety
- 15% of exam
- Exposure Routes First Aid PPE Respirators Decontamination
Quick Facts
- Exam Branch 2 Field Representative
- Board California SPCB
- Vendor PSI Exams
- Items 125 scored (+5-15 unscored)
- Handbook Linked on Board exam page
- Time 2.5 hours
- Pass 70%
- Delivery Computer testing center
- Approval Six months
- Retake 30 days
- Exam Fee $75
- Training 40 hours; 20 field
Four Pest Resources IN
- Food Water Harborage Entry
- Food Water Harborage Entry
Sign vs Conducive Condition IN
Pest Sign
- Supports pest activity
- Examples: droppings, skins
Conducive Condition
- Supports future infestation
- Examples: leaks, clutter
- Condition alone proves no infestation
Pest Evidence Picker IN
- Live pest found → Identify specimen ( Confirm body features )
- Droppings found → Corroborate species ( Use multiple clues )
- Monitor stays empty → Reposition monitor ( Target travel routes )
- Moisture only → Record conducive condition ( Not confirmed infestation )
- Wood-destroying evidence → Termites, beetles, fungi: Branch 3 ( Carpenter ants: Branch 2 or 3 )
- Lethal-gas fumigation → Refer Branch 1 ( Outside Branch 2 )
Inspection Clues IN
- Live specimens Confirm current activity
- Droppings Corroborate species clues
- Cast skins Growth or harborage clue
- Gnaw marks Rodent activity clue
- Rub marks Repeated rodent travel
- Webbing Stored-product pest clue
- Damage Locate feeding activity
- Odor Support other evidence
Branch 2 vs Branch 3 IN
Branch 2
- Household pests
- No lethal-gas fumigation
- Excludes wood-destroying organisms
Branch 3
- Wood-destroying organisms
- Insecticides or structural repairs
- Excludes fumigation
- Match pest category before treatment
Pest Identification IN
- German cockroach Two dark pronotal stripes
- American cockroach Large reddish-brown adult
- Oriental cockroach Shiny dark body
- Bed bug Flat oval body
- Flea Laterally flattened jumper
- Roof rat Tail exceeds body length
- Norway rat Tail shorter than body
- Indianmeal moth Pantry larvae create webbing
Monitoring + Conditions IN
- Food Remove accessible sources
- Water Correct leaks and moisture
- Harborage Reduce shelter and clutter
- Entry Seal access points
- Glue board Track crawling activity
- Pheromone trap Monitor target adults
- Trap map Repeat consistent placement
- Trend Compare counts over time
IPM Sequence PL
- Inspect Identify Threshold Control Evaluate
- Inspect Identify Threshold Control Evaluate
Applicator vs Field Representative PL
Applicator
- Applies pesticides
- Cannot inspect or contract
- Works for registered company
Field Representative
- Inspects and identifies
- Secures work for company
- Acts for registered company
- This exam tests Field Representative
Treatment Picker PL
- Entry gaps dominate → Use exclusion ( Block access first )
- Food or moisture → Correct sanitation ( Remove pest resources )
- Active travel route → Place bait or monitor ( Follow label placement )
- Void harborage → Choose labeled void method ( Limit off-target exposure )
- Sensitive site → Reduce exposure potential ( Prefer targeted controls )
- Weather conflicts → Postpone application ( Prevent drift or runoff )
IPM Planning PL
- Inspect Define pest and site
- Identify Confirm target species
- Threshold Set action level
- Sanitation Remove pest resources
- Exclusion Block pest access
- Mechanical Trap or physically remove
- Chemical Use labeled targeted treatment
- Evaluate Measure results and adjust
Calibration Check PL
- Area Rate Output Time
- Area Rate Output Time
Field Representative vs Operator PL
Field Representative
- Acts for registered company
- Cannot operate independently
Operator
- May own registered company
- May be qualifying manager
- Do not use Operator blueprint
Formulations PL
- Bait Pest consumes active ingredient
- Gel Precise bait placement
- Dust Dry void treatment
- Granule Coarse dry particles
- Aerosol Pressurized fine droplets
- Wettable powder Suspension needs agitation
- Emulsifiable concentrate Oil formulation in water
- Microencapsulated Controlled active release
Equipment + Calibration PL
- Fan nozzle Broad uniform swath
- Pin stream Narrow directed treatment
- Lower pressure Coarser droplets; less drift
- Worn nozzle Usually increases output
- Calibration Measures delivered volume
- Agitation Keeps suspension mixed
- Anti-siphon Prevents supply backflow
- Equipment check Find leaks and wear
Label vs SDS AP
Label
- Controls legal use
- Lists sites and rates
- Specifies required PPE
SDS
- Explains chemical hazards
- Supports emergency response
- Does not authorize use
- Application choices come from label
Label + Notice AP
- Label Legal use directions
- SDS Hazard response details
- Signal word Acute toxicity category
- Precautions Exposure prevention directions
- First aid Exposure response directions
- EPA number Product registration identity
- Listed site Required before application
- Consumer notice Follow required timing
Crack-and-Crevice vs Surface AP
Crack-and-Crevice
- Targets structural openings
- Precise limited placement
General Surface
- Covers broad surfaces
- Requires explicit label permission
- Never expand application beyond label
Application Methods AP
- Crack-and-crevice Treat structural openings
- Spot treatment Treat limited discrete areas
- General surface Treat broad labeled surfaces
- Space treatment Disperse within labeled airspace
- Baiting Place accessible target food
- Void treatment Treat hidden cavities
- Exterior perimeter Treat labeled outside band
- Exclusion Seal pest entry
Math + Follow-Up AP
- Area Length times width
- Finished volume Rate times treated area
- Dilution Follow label units exactly
- Application record Document actual treatment
- Follow-up Compare activity after treatment
- Retreatment Respect label interval
- Resistance Rotate modes when appropriate
- Maintenance Correct equipment deficiencies
Spill Sequence EN
- Protect Stop Contain Clean Report
- Protect Stop Contain Clean Report
Spill + Storage EN
- Protect Keep people away
- Control Stop source safely
- Contain Block spread and drains
- Clean Follow label and SDS
- Report Follow reporting requirements
- Original container Keep label attached
- Service container Identify contents clearly
- Vehicle transport Secure upright containers
- Storage Lock, ventilate, separate
Water Protection EN
- Storm drain Prevent pesticide entry
- Backflow Prevent supply contamination
- Drift Control off-target movement
- Runoff Avoid saturated application sites
- Weather Check wind and rain
- Mixing site Protect nearby water
- Impervious surface Contain and recover spills
- Buffer restriction Follow label distance
Exposure Routes PE
- Skin Eyes Lungs Mouth
- Dermal Ocular Inhalation Oral
Acute vs Chronic PE
Acute
- Short exposure period
- Effects may appear quickly
Chronic
- Repeated exposure period
- Effects may appear later
- Timing distinguishes exposure patterns
Safety Response Picker PE
- Skin exposure → Remove contaminated clothing ( Follow label washing )
- Eye exposure → Rinse immediately ( Follow label duration )
- Inhalation exposure → Move to fresh air ( Seek emergency help )
- Ingestion exposure → Call Poison Control ( Never improvise treatment )
- Small spill → Protect, stop, contain ( Follow cleanup directions )
- Drain threatened → Block pesticide movement ( Follow reporting requirements )
Exposure + First Aid PE
- Dermal Skin exposure route
- Ocular Eye exposure route
- Inhalation Lung exposure route
- Oral Mouth exposure route
- Acute Short-term exposure effects
- Chronic Repeated long-term effects
- First aid Follow product label
- Medical help Bring product information
PPE + Respirators PE
- PPE selection Follow label requirements
- Chemical gloves Check required material
- Eye protection Prevent splash exposure
- Coveralls Reduce skin exposure
- Medical evaluation Before respirator use
- Fit test Confirms respirator fit
- Seal check Perform each wearing
- Cartridge schedule Replace before breakthrough
- Work clothing Wash separately
Common Traps
Identity Trap
- Field Representative exam only ≠ Not Applicator
Question Count Trap
- April 2026 handbook: 125 scored ≠ 5-15 experimental items unscored
Timing Trap
- 2.5 hours for scored items ≠ Experimental time not counted
Blueprint Trap
- Use Field Representative weights ≠ Operator weights differ
Branch Scope Trap
- Branch 2 excludes fumigation ≠ Branch 2 excludes WDO
Label Trap
- Label authorizes application ≠ SDS explains hazards
Risk Trap
- Lower toxicity differs from exposure ≠ Targeted placement reduces exposure
Independence Trap
- Field Representatives need registered company ≠ Operators may own companies
Last Minute
- 1. Confirm Field Representative identity
- 2. Review all five domains
- 3. Memorize 25-22-23-15-15
- 4. Practice pest clue matching
- 5. Separate signs from conditions
- 6. Match formulation to site
- 7. Recheck calibration units
- 8. Read label before choosing
- 9. Separate label from SDS
- 10. Protect drains and water
- 11. Know exposure first aid
- 12. Distinguish Branch 1/2/3
- 13. Distinguish all license roles
- 14. Answer every presented item